Help us make European democracies better

Location: Brussels, Berlin, Vienna, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Milan

Salary: up to 45.000 EUR, annual for a full-time role. We are open to part-time require a minimum of 50% for this role

Contract: 12 months with the option for renewal

About the Role

Democratic Society (Demsoc) is Europe’s leading international democracy organization, supporting our cities and citizens to ensure that radical climate transformation is a democratic not just a technocratic process. Through democratic design, organizational development and practical participation exercises, we are building greater participation and dialogue in democracy. 

Demsoc works to develop new forms of democracy, support citizens to participate, and create democratic responses to the climate challenge. It works as a networked organisation, fostering practical participation and active learning in democracy at local, national and European level. 

We are a partner of the NetZeroCities (NZC) project in support of the EU Missions towards climate neutrality. We are now looking for a democratic practice expert, with the ability to engage and influence at a senior level in local government and with consortium partners – with a commitment to strengthening democratic climate action. 

The NetZeroCities project is designed to enable European cities and citizens to show the way forward towards an inclusive, thriving, climate resilient and sustainable future. This project builds upon the climate and democracy work Demsoc carried out together with partners in 15 cities in the past two years.  

A big part of your work will focus on designing and negotiating with a large European consortium approaches towards climate neutrality. Building on existing knowledge in the field, you will be asked to ensure principles and standards around engaging people in decision-making processes are upheld. 

In this work, you will work alongside the project lead as well as a system design expert to deliver a democratic response to the climate challenge in cities. Ideally, the subject matter expert will be based in one of our European hubs to seize the opportunity of engaging with the ongoing Demsoc projects and colleagues.

Responsibilities

As a democratic practice expert

• Ensure high-quality democratic practice is embedded in the NZC project, supporting the project lead and working with the rest of the team to ensure the success of the project
• Build on existing knowledge and standards in the field to ensure partners know how to engage citizens on climate action
• Continue to strengthen the democratic infrastructure in cities
• Independent management of relationships, stakeholders and processes alongside the wider team
• Support the long-term mobilisation of citizens and civil society actors across Europe

As part of the climate programme team

• Supporting the strategic development of Demsoc’s climate programme
• Work more widely in our climate team on democratic climate governance 
• Ensure climate projects uphold the highest standards of democratic practice

Essential Competencies

• At least 3 years relevant democratic practice experience (e.g. setting up or facilitating deliberative democracy processes, long-term engagement of citizens, inclusion of hard to reach communities, change management, collaboration with social movements, designing or delivering innovative engagement methods, supporting open governance practice, etc) 
• Excellent knowledge of citizen participation methods and ability to strengthen local governance, based around this knowledge
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment
• Deep knowledge of the democratic practice discourse in the wider field
• Experience working with local government and/or multi-stakeholder projects
• Ability to represent Demsoc in meetings with partners or local government
• Ability to work remotely and flexibly, with some international travel as required
• Strong analytical and strategic skills
• Organisational skills and a delivery mindset
• Strong personal commitment to democracy and our core values of openness, equality and internationalism
• Excellent facilitation and influencing skills
• Good communication skills
• Full fluency in English and professional working level knowledge of another European language.

Desirable Competencies

• Experience and understanding of climate change and related issues
• Experience and understanding of local networks, politics and democratic initiatives 

Democratic Society - Key Competencies 

Initiative: you’re a self-starter that can organise your own workload to meet business needs and use initiative to respond to unanticipated problems or situations. 

Team work: you work collaboratively as part of a team to deliver a service to others. 

Equality: you support and protect equality and diversity and respect colleagues and everyone we work with regardless of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic origin. 

Holding professional relationships: you work with a focus on delivering services to clients and partners, acting with integrity and respect on behalf of the organisation and honouring confidentiality. 

Problem solving: you have strong problem-solving skills with the ability to anticipate issues and resolve matters independently, developing sound pragmatic solutions. 

Strategy: you ensure that at all times your work informs, reflects and supports the aims and objectives of this role. 

Equality, access and diversity

Demsoc is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes all suitably skilled persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, faith, sexual orientation, education or age. We are a multi-lingual and multi-cultural organisation, working internationally and actively working to ensure our team reflects the communities and places we serve.  

How to apply

If you have further questions please contact Nadja Nickel, Programme Director, Climate. Please send your CV together with one sentence about your motivation for this position to Nadja@demsoc.eu as soon as possible. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis until February 28, 2022 at midnight CET, we are looking at filling the position as soon as possible. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis as well.